Abdul Taib who is also Sarawak BN chairman said since the seat belonged to BN, it would be retained during the by-election.

"We are ready for the by-election," said Abdul Taib after launching the My Constitution campaign here today.

He said Lau who was a five-term MP in Sibu since 1990, had contributed immensely to the people of Sibu and its development, state and country.

"On behalf of the state, I wish to offer my condolence to the family of Lau. His death is a big loss to his family, the state of Sarawak and the country," he said.

The Election Commission (EC) is expected to receive an official notice of Lau's death before announcing the dates for nomination and polling.

Lau died at 11.10am yesterday after a long battle with Liver Cancer.

In the last general election, Lau retained the mostly-urban Bandar Sibu parliamentary seat with a 3,235-vote majority in a three-cornered fight with Lim Chin Chuang (PKR) and Sarawak DAP Chairman Wong Ho Leng.